Northern Exposure, Part Two

After a long stay in Wisconsin, we got back in our faithful vehicle, Joe the Ford Focus Wagon. Then, farther north we went. We ended up in Grand Marais, Minnesota which is just about an hour from the boundary waters between the U.S. and Canada. It is also where our friends, Peter and Melanie and their sweet daughter Aglaia, live in the summer. Pete's family owns a lodge and it is amazing!! Yet, we did not stay at the amazing lodge, but rather with our friends in their wee cabin sans plumbing. An experience to be sure. I was a little worried for myself since I really very much prefer bodily cleanliness...but I did pretty well. And, in turn, I am now even more thankful for the water amenities that I so often forget are an amenity. The cabin was very neat...the people who live there year round (not Pete and Melanie) have this very simple way of living life that is really challenging and inspiring to T.J. and me. There was only one little hand mirror in the small cabin and just the basics for everything (which means no cool dresser from Design Within Reach, or no cute place mats from Target for that matter, and definitely no garage sale finds of the day). I know that decorating our house is not simply a bad thing, but it is also good for me to stare down my own traces of materialism or at least my dependence on material goods.

Our time with our friends in Minnesota was priceless. Peter grew up there and seriously LOVES it. He is more passionate about it than any Southerner I ever met devoting their allegiance to the rebel's cause and the yankee's demise. Sooo, we got quite a tour of the great Minnesota outdoors. The lakes and rivers up there are just beautiful. I swam a little bit one day when we were canoeing, but it was a little cold for my taste. T.J. really gets the prize for waterplay. He went crazy in this massive waterfall. He was splashing around and jumping into the gushing falls like a little otter. He had this huge smile on his face the whole time. Kid at heart, I tell you...one of the reasons I love him.

We zipped around the Minnesota lakeshore for just a couple days and then we headed back home. We did however split the trip up into two days, stopping at a Country Inn for the night. I love hotels...a lot. Shower, 2 queen beds, tv, pool, order in pizza, towels, mini shampoo...what's not to like?

Thus ends another glorious summer roadtrip adventure. Until next time...

Northern Exposure, Part One

And I am back! I was thinking about how for the past three summers, we have taken HUGE road trips. Two years ago, there was the trek across Ohio and Pennsylvania (I still hate that turnpike) to Caitlyn's lovely beach wedding in New Jersey. Then, there was the ever famous Ocracoke Island trip last year. And, now most recently, there was the Northern Tour...Wisconsin and on up and up and up to Minnesota...to the boundary waters. Each time we have gone to an edge of this place called America. So, I wonder what we'll do next year...I'm thinking West. Giddy up!

Anyway, I had a lovely vacation. I think for right now, I'll just write about Wisconsin and leave Minnesooota for my next entry. Okay? Okay....Wisconsin was great! I love seeing my parents and my grandmother. I also got to see my cousin Heidi and her husband, Will, and their three precious kiddos. As you can tell from the photos, my mom has a massive garden and it is just so beautiful to me. We also eat very well and healthily because of it! OH, and the raspberries were perfectly peaking and begging to be picked. How could I refuse?

Life moves slow up in Wisconsin. And, naturally, that is just my speed. I have never had trouble just unplugging and relaxing. It really is a gift and I'm glad to be blessed with it.

My mom and I took a long walk down Bryn Drive one afternoon. This windy and hilly road is one that we have walked ever since I can remember. There are some nice houses (a few my relatives have lived in) on Bryn Drive with luscious acreage, a cemetery that my Grandpa John is buried in, and farmland. Since I love old things, I just can never soak up enough of the fields that have been harvested year in and year out for I don't even know how long. It makes me sad to think that eventually and regretfully this farm will be sold and cut up into lots for new homes.

As always, it was very special to be in Wisconsin with my grandma. She is extraordinary. I love this photo of her cutting pole beans from the garden. I talked to my parents today and they said Grandma was outside shucking corn.

Gone

Just wanted to let you know that I am not ignoring my blogging duties. We are merely leaving home for a bit. Wisconsin and Minnesota, here we come!

Nap Time Reading Hour

Let me tell you about one of my new favorite pastimes. It is called "nap time". During the regular school year, the students do not rest. Ah, but in summer school, they do! At first, I was not sure what to think of this block of time every afternoon. I mean, would they really sleep? Would it make me sleepy? Would it be a battle to just get them to lay still? But, I have come to adore the napping hour. Most of these little people actually do fall asleep. I only have about four who are awake the whole time. They are so cute when they are sleeping...all nestled up with their beach towel, listening to our lullaby CD...which for the record I'd like to try out for myself sometime. I have this really comfy blue-flowered chair in my classroom and it is perfect for reading. So, that's what I do. I've been able to get through four books during nap time this summer. It's awesome! I love having a piece of time carved out just for a specific act such as reading...or writing, or playing music. Now, would I be willing to have summer school go any longer so that I could keep having nap time reading hour? No and nope. But, it is certainly a nice part of my day for now.

Those are my thoughts. By the way, summer school ends this week. Woo Hoo! Summertime Katrina will soon be here.

what happened in June

What happened in June...what happened to June? I seriously can't believe it has come and gone so quickly. Part of that is because we've been busy...mostly back and forth on our beloved Interstate 70. I also have been swallowed up by the Summer School Monster. He really eats away the summertime spirit.

Alas, many good things did happen in the sixth month of the year. Here are a few:

1. Our first niece was born...little Larkin. She is precious and she is going to be well loved and well protected (by her three older brothers). After meeting her in the hospital, we got to watch the newest big brother Syl. He is such a ham...I loved so many of these photos.

2. Sarah and Abbie came to visit..along with their respective significant people Adam and Sam. I am hoping that Abbie will send me some photos soon so that I can post a few. We had a very fun time. We ate at Murray's and then played Apples to Apples as well as Pass the Buck (a new game for the Tomlins involving a heavy coin). Then, we stayed up late making Abbie and Sam play songs for us...they are both incredible. I love those people. It was one of my favorite nights in a long time.

3. We went to Richmond and saw Adrianne and Hunter!! What fun to see their world. T.J. gave a paper at a big history conference...way to go, husband! Caitlyn and Joseph also swung through Virginia on their way back from the beach. I love those people as well. And, ah yes, the South...you know I love that...

4. One of my summer school students informed me that he hated walking, he hated water fountains, he hated kindergarten, he hated snacks with corn syrup (he's allergic), he hated sitting criss cross, he hated being anything but first, he hated using a quiet voice, he hated staying in the confines of school and thus yelled "I'm outta here" more than once, he hated not being the boss, he hated me (the boss), he hated blue crayons, he hated glue, he hated the letter R, he hated the itsy bitsy spider song and he would not sing it and didn't want any of the rest of us to sing it either, and he also hated summer school. Well, me too, bud.

5. We visited family Eddy one afternoon...oh, how we miss them. More people we love. I also got to see my sisters a bunch. That is always nice (I love them too, you know)...they told me to blog more...so, I am. trying to anyway.